Demba Ba plots more Newcastle heroics after treble rocks Rovers

More to come: Ba scores his first Toon hat-trick (Picture: Action Images)

The 26-year-old Senegal striker, who scored seven goals in 12 Premier League games for West Ham last season, may not have been the marquee signing Magpies fans had hoped for this summer but his treble will go a long way towards appeasing the Toon faithful.

Ba belatedly announced his arrival on Tyneside with his match-winning display in Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over Blackburn which extended Newcastle’s unbeaten start to the campaign to eight games in all competitions.

However, the former Hoffenheim forward insisted he has not set himself a goal target.

Ba said: ‘I just want to have good performances and score goals. That’s what makes me happy. I have a competition against myself.

‘It’s been a good day after a lot of work and a lot of bad performances and now today, the work just paid off for me.

‘I was not fit at the beginning of the season and now after six games I am starting to get my sharpness back and I am just going to keep on working to have it 100 per cent for the next weeks. I have scored my first goal and I just hope it is going to keep on going.’

Manager Alan Pardew never doubted Ba’s ability in front of goal but was convinced the effects of fasting during Ramadan earlier this month had left him fighting for full fitness.

However, Ba revealed Pardew had repeatedly assured him he would get his opportunity and added: ‘He always told me when I was fit I would get my chance and it was up to me to take it.’

Rovers, meanwhile, remain in the bottom three despite a consolation goal from Junior Hoilett.